Antiskid device



1 Feb. 2 1, 1950 1.. H. ZELE 2,498,023

ANTISKID DEVICE Filed May 1, 1946 INVENTOR L EON H. ZELE Patented Feb. 21, 1950 i.' Q/UNIT ED STATES "PATENT OFFICE" 1 Q Leon H. Zele, Torrington, Conn. Application May 1, 1946, Serial No. 666,210

1 T The invention to which the following specification relates is that of an improvement in antiskid devices for vehicle wheels.

In the use of anti-skid devices of the type having cross-chains over the tires, wear occurs primarily in the links of the cross-chains. This leads to the need for frequent removal of the broken cross-chains and replacement by new units. Ordinarily, this is accomplished only by use of tools such as special pliers which pry open the bent-over hooks at the ends of the crosschains where they are fastened to the links of the side chains.

My improvement consists essentially in the provision of a novel terminal element for the cross-chains which will enable their attachment or removal without the use of tools.

A further object of my invention is to provide a cross-chain which will remain attached to the side chains when the skid chains are removed from the wheel and carried loosely in the car or a bag.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a fastening which is proof against inadvertent removal under all conditions of service.

The novel fastening is suitable not only for the above purpose but may be used for fastening together the opposite ends of the side chains and whenever it is desired to fasten two chains together.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred form as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the cross-chain in the process of assembly with the side chain;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section on the line 2-2 on Figure 1 showing the mode of assembly;

Figure 3 is a transverse elevation showing the completely assembled fastening;

Figure 4 is a vertical side view partly in section and on a reduced scale showing the manner in which inadvertent removal is prevented; and,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified form.

The usual anti-skid chain device consists of a pair of side chains 5 of which one only has been illustrated. This is made up of similar links 6 generally rectangular in shape and having elongated center openings.

The customary cross-chain 1 is built up of links and at the ends I have provided spring hooks 8-8. These hooks are slightly longer than those usually provided for permanent attachment to the links 8.

5 Claims. (Cl. 152-233) The'spring hooks have two parallel spaced members 9 and In. These members are generally parallel but of suf ficient length to provide inherent resilience so that they may be pressed together for insertion in a link 6 of the side chain.

Each member 9 and I0 terminates in a hook proper II. This hook is similar to the one ordinarily found in such terminal end members. However, in the presentinstance this hook is given additional width by means of a reverse bend IZ. This bend serves as a stop after the hooks have been assembled on a link 6, see Figure 4. As an alternative, the stop may be formed by a separate bar l3 welded over each hook proper II.

In the assembly of the cross-chain on the side chains, the spaced members 9 and ID are pressed together to permit the hook ends II to pass between the opposite parallel sides of a link 6. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, there is thus room to insert the compressed hook member 8 between the opposite sides of the link 6. After passing between the sides of the link 6, the hook ends proper II are given a quarter-turn and thus the members 8 take up the position shown in Figure 3.

The assembled cross-chains are capable of a limited degree of sliding movement through the side links 6, upwardly as shown in Figure 3. In the downward movement, link 6 prevents the removal of the cross-chain by engaging the hook proper II.

In the event that link 6 is rotated to the degree shown in Figure 4, the free side of the link 8 will engage the stop l2. This will effectively prevent the hook member H from rising up out of engagement with the link 6.

In the event that the cross-chain becomes broken by wear or it is otherwise desired to disassemble it from the side chain, this may be done without the use of tools. It is only necessary to raise the spring hook 8 until the hook proper II is above the side of the link 6. The spaced members 9 and ID are then compressed into engagement and given a quarter-turn after which the hooks II and the stops l2 may be dropped through the side link.

It is to be understood that a spring hook 8 is supplied on each end of a cross-chain 1. Thus. the attachment and removal of the cross-chain can take place withfrespect to both side chains. It will, however, not be necessary to close the hooks ll against members 9 and In as is usually done since the stops l2 form effective means for preventing accidental separation.

While the above arrangement has been described in reference to an anti-skid device and its cross-chain, the novel feature is equally applicable to other chain devices.

It is, of course, to be understood that the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated without, however, limiting the scope of the invention beyond the terms of the following claims.

WhatIclaimis:

1. An anti-skid device for vehicles comprising a pair of side chains and a series of cross-chains, each of said cross-chains having means for attachment to a link of a side chain consisting of a terminal member having two parallel hooks and abutment means on the outside free ends of the hooks, said hooks being made of resilient metal with the combined width of the hooks and abutment means exceeding the distance between the side portions of the links in the side chains.

2. A cross-chain adapted for use in an antiskid device, said cross-chain having opposite end members each in the form of two integral spaced hooks of resilient metal and having the ends thereof bent back on themselves to form abutments.

3. A. cross-chain adapted for use in an antiskid device, said cross-chain having end members each in the form of two integral spaced hooks of resilient metal having their free end portions enlarged in the plane of the bend of the hooks.

4'. A cross-chain adapted for use in an antiskid device, said cross-chain having end members each in the form of two integral spaced hooks of resilient metal, and abutment bars attached to the free ends of said hooks.

5. An anti-skid device for vehicles comprising a pair of side chains and a series of cross-chains. each of said cross-chains having means for attachment to a link of a side chain consisting of a terminal member having hooks normally spaced parallel to each other a distance greater than the inner spacing between the sides of the said link but resiliently compressible to bring the hooks close enough to pass between the sides of the said link, and abutments on the outside free ends of the hooks, the combined width of each hook and its abutment exceeding the distance between the side portions of the links in the side chains.

LEON H. ZELE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,467,188 Mousseau Sept. 4, 1923 1,670,528 Carpenter May 22, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 151,063 Austria Oct. 25, 1937 

